Sintering machine



June 17, 1930. w SHALLOCK 1,764,696

SINTERING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 3 sheets -sheeh 1 4/11/60 for: Z'a'ward (1/. 5/161 (lock 5, AM M. 1

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June "1 7. 1930.

E. w. SHALLOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 ml 1. U n H. i M v H, h 4 l a 8 5 A 4 2 n U u n H 0 0 7 6 E 3 a u o o n. mm a 3 a 4 Patented June 17, 1 930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD W. SHALLOCiK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN ORE RECLA-' MATIOIN COMPANY OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK SINTERING MACHINE Application filed. March 25, 1929. Serial 1T0. 349,616.

This invention relates to sintering' inachines for sintering finely divided ore, flue dust, and like material, and more particularly to sintering machines of the horizontal t e I n machines of this general character, which are known as the Dwight and Lloyd type of sinteringmachines, a train of separate pallets is propelled along an endless niting means whereby the material is ignited, after which the pallets pass above suction'boxes which are connected to suitable suction means, whereby a down draft is created through the mass of material on the pallet during travel thereof along the upper run of the track.-

At the delivery end of the machine, the pallets pass about a return bend in the track 7 so as to be discharged, that is, so as to discharge the sinter therefrom, after which the pallets passto the lower run of the track and are returned to the upper run thereof by the feed sprocket wheels. The construction and operation of sintering machiiies of this general character are well understood in the art.

In the earlier Dwight and Lloyd .ma-

. chines, the expansion space, that is the space between the. two end pallets of the train, occurred attheupper end of thereturn bend at the deliver'y end of the track.

This was found to be ob ectionable as cans-- ing pounding of the pallets due to the'fact that the drop of the pallet in passing aboutthis bend was quite sudden and the pallet obtains considerable speed before contact ing the next preceding pallet. Difficulty was also experienced in this earlier machine due to the fact that sinter frequently g'ot be-.'

tween adjacent pallets, this being caused by the abrupt change in direction of travel of a pallet as it passed about the upper portion of the return bend and, consequently, caused breaking of the sinter to an undesirable extent. The entering of the sinter between the pallets was highly objectionable as preventing proper spacing thereof for. engagement by the elevating and propelling sprocket wheels, with the result that the machlne would be caused to wreck itself.

To avoid these numerous objections of the prior art, it has been proposed to pro-- vide the lower or return run of the track with an upgrade which serves to retard travel of the pallets sufficiently to hold the pallets in contact with each other throughout the upper run of the track and about the return bend at the delivery end thereof.

Such a machine is disclosed in the patent to Linney, Patent No. 1,563,759 of Decemher 1, 1925. While this machine has proved to be highly satisfactory when operating at moderate speeds and using pallets of medium weight, it has been found that it is not altogether satisfactory for high speed operation or for using heavy pallets. Under either of the two latter conditions the pallets on the upgrade of the lower run of the track hammer and pound together. This does not interfere with the operation of the machine under favorable conditions, but is objectionable as subjeeting the machine to undesirable stresses, aside from the noise created by such pounding, and the possibil- "ity of breakage of the pallets when heavy pallets are used.

. I have found that it is possible to avoid the above noted objections to both the earlier types of Dwight and Lloyd machines and the Linney machine by "providing means of suitable type for retarding. travel of the pallets on the lower run of the track. This retarding meansinay be situated as conditions'require but, in practice, is ordinarily positioned adjacent the return bend at the deliver end of themachine. One of the main 0 jects of m invention is to provide retarding means 0 simple and eflicient constructionvand which is capable of adjustmentto vary the'resistance ofiered to travel of the pallets, such retarding means being thus adaptable to pallets of different weights and to different speeds of operation of the machine.

Another object is to provide retarding means in which the resistance opposed to travel of the pallets will remain substantially constant. A further object is to provide retarding means comprising elements projecting into the path of travel of the pallets on the lower run of the track, such elementsthus having positive engagement with the pallets and being normally held in operative position by yielding means. A- still further object is to provide retarding elements or members of the character stated, and means for adjusting such members lengthwise of the track in either direction to assure accurate engagement of the retarding member with the pallet. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side View of a sintering machine having an up-grade on the return track, showing my invention as applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a side view of the delivery end portion of a sintering machine of a different type from that of Figure 1, showing my invention as applied thereto;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view, on an enlarged scale, of the machine of Figure 1 illustrating my invention as applied;

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the retarding sprocket wheels and associated parts, the track and parts of the main supporting frame being omitted, parts of the main supporting frame being shown in section.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated my invention as applied to a sintersuitable manner.

ing machine having an up-g'rade on the lower run or return portion of the track, this machine being of what may be considered as the Linney type of Dwight and Lloyd sintering machine. The machine comprises a main supporting frame 1 of suitable construction, which supports a track 2 in a This track comprises an upper run and a lower run which are connected, at the delivery end of the machine, by areturn bend 3 which carries a retaining rail 4 associated with the track-to hold pallets 5. thereon during travel of the pallets about bend 3. Lower run 6 of the track is provided with an upgrade portion 7 extending from the lower end of a downwardly inclined portion 8 which extends from the lower end of the return bend 3. The pallets 5 constitute a train of allets which is of less length than the trac 2 so as to provide an expansion space 9 between the end pallets of the train. The pallets of the train are separate from each other and are elevated from the lower run of the track and propelled along the upper run thereof by sprocket wheels 10 driven from a suitable source of power, such as electric motor 11, through suitable gearing.

- continued travel of the palletsalong the upper run of the track, they pass above a plurality of hoods or suction boxes ll which are connected to suitable suction producing means, such as a fan, whereby a down draft is produced through the ore,

flue dust, or other material supported by the pallets. This produces combustion throughout the mass thus sintering the material and this sinter is discharged. by inverting the pallet as it passes above the return bend 3 at the delivery end of the machine. The provision of the up-gra de 7 on the lower run of the track serves to hold the pallet: 5 in contact about the return bend 3 and along the upper run of the track. This is advantageous as preventing entry of sinter between the pallets, but has the disadvantag above referred to of causing hammering or pounding together of the pallets on the up-grade under certain conditions, as above set forth. I have found that this objection can be avoided by providing suitable retarding means adjacent the lower end of the upgrade, such means acting to damp out or smother the pushes or impulses transmitted to the train of pallets from the sprocket wheels' 10.

In Figures 3 and 4, I have illustrated my invention as applied to the machine shown in Figure 1. A shaft 15 extends transversely .of the track 2 between the upper and lower runs thereof. This shaft is rotatably mounted in journal boxes 16 slidably mounted on plates 17 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to channel bars 18 which, in turn, are

secured to channel uprights 19 of the main supporting frame. Journal boxes 16 are secured by slot and bolt means 20 to plate 17 and are adjusted on these plates, in either direction lengthwise ofthe track, by adjusting screws 21 which thread through lugs 22 at the ends of the plate and contact the ends of the journal boxes 16. The construction of the journal boxes and the manner of adjusting the same are known 'in the art and need not be illustrated nor described in detail. Suffice it to say that the shaft 15'is capable of being adjusted in either direction lengthwise of track 2, to suit operating con ditions.

Sprocket wheels 23 are keyed or otherwise suitably secured on shaft 15 and comprise tooth elements 24 which may be either integral with the wheel or maybe formed as separable elements thereof as illustrated. These tooth elements 24 are disposed and adapted to contact lugs 25 on the pallets 5 which are supported in inverted position on portions 7 andv f the lower run of the track. Spacing collars 26 are disposed about shaft 15 and between the hubs 23 of wheels 23 and the inner side faces of journal boxes 16. Brake drums 27 .are keyed or otherwise suitably secured upon shaft 15 adjacent the outer side faces of the journal boxes.-

The brake drums 27 cooperate with brake bands 28 for braking the sprocket wheels 23. Each of the brake bands comprises a band or strip 28 of iron or steel to the inner face of which are secured blocks 29 of Wood or other suitable friction material. blocks are secured in position by counter sunk bolts 30 which pass through the band or strip 28 and receive nuts 31. The friction blocks may be secured to the strip 28 in any other suitable or preferred manner. Strip 28 s provided, at each end, with a terminal lug 32 riveted or otherwise suitably secured thereto. This terminal lug has a longitudinally extendingslot 33 and comprises terminal collars 34. The collars 34 of one of the lugs 32 receive the end portion of a pin 35 mounted in a supporting bracket 36 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the under face of one of the channel bars 18 extending between the uprights 19. The pin 35 is held against endwise movement by cotterpins inserted therethrough or in any other suitable manner. An operating lever 37 is fulcrumed at its lower end on pin 35 between the collars 34. This lever passes between collars 34 of the other lug 32 and is secured thereto by a pin 38 which passes through the lever and through the collars of such other lug. clearly from Figure 3, pin 38 is-above the fulcrum of. lever 37 and this lever extends upwardly from pin 35 and at an inclination toward the feed end of the machine, that is, the lever 37 is inclined upwardly away from the delivery end of the machine. I j

The lever 37 is preferably in the form of a flat iron bar and possesses appreciable weight so as to exert downward pull on the brake band at pin 38. This band belng -anchored at its otherend to the main frame of the machine is thus drawn about drum 27 so as tobe held in frictional contact tl1erewith. A hanger rod 39, provided at its upper end with-a clevis 40, is pivoted to the These As will be noted more.

upper end of lever 37 at 41. This rod is threaded at its lower end and receives a nut 42 screwed thereon, thisnut forming a stop or abutment for the lowermost one of a plurality of weight members 43 mounted upon rod 39. These weight members are preferably removable and have inter-engaging elements for preventing casual displacement therebf, in a known manner.' The weight members exert,a downward pull on the upper end of lever 37 and supplement the action thereof in drawing the brake band tight about drum 27 .so as to force the blocks 29 into close frictional contact therewith. By increasing or diminishing the number of Weights 43 on the'rod 39 and using Weights of different values, the force applied to the brake band by the lever 37 can be varied within wide limits to suit conditions.

In the operation of the machine, the value of the Wei hts 43 is adjusted to exert the desired braking eflect on the sprocket wheels 23. This adjustment will depend upon the weight of the pallets and the speed of opera-- tion of the machine.

After the brakes have been properly adjuste'd, the teeth of the retarding sprocket wheel 23 serve to retard or hold back the pallets on the lower run of the track to the proper extent to prevent any pounding or hammering thereof while not interfering with the proper operation of the machine at the desired speed. Referring to Figure 3. it will be noted that one of the teeth 24 of the sprocket wheel contacts lug 25 of the pallet 5 which is passin from portion 8 of the lower run of the trac to portion 7 thereof, the tooth of the wheel contacting the rearward lug 25 of the pallet, that is, the lug toward the delivery end of the machine. The brake bands are so adjusted that the brakin effect on the sprocket wheels 23, throng the medium of the drums and shaft 15, retard the pallets with which the tooth, or, more correctly the teeth of the sprocket wheels contact sufliciently to holdthe pallets in rear thereof and extending about the return bend 3 in contact with each other. As the pallets are. propelled along the ,upper run of the track and about the return bend, the pressure exerted on the teeth of the sprocket .Wheels turns these wheels so as to bring the succeeding teeth thereof into contactwiththe rearward lugs of the next pallet 5. By the rearward lug of the pallet, I refer to the lug toward the delivery end of the machine. In this manloo 7 ner, the pallets aresuccessively retarded as they pass from portion 8 of the track onto.

the machine and the return bend 3 due to the operation of the elevating and feed sprocket wheels 10.

ignated 6.

This assures uniform operation of the machine while avoiding hammering and pounding of the pallets on the up-grade of the lower run of the track, thus permitting operation of the machine at high speed and the use of heavy pallets.

In Figure 2 of the drawings, I have illustrated my invention as applied to a sintering machine of a somewhat diiferenttype than that of Figure 1. In the form of machine of Figure 2, I provide the track with a straight inclined portion 2 which connects the upper run of the trackwith the upper end of the return bend 3. The lower run of the track, extending from the lower end of the return bend, is horizontal and without any up-grade, this lower run being des- The expansion space 9 between the terminal pallets of the train is substan tially coincident with the straight inclined :ortion 2 of the track. This form of machine is particularly adapted for use with material which is of a tarry nature and, when sintered, tends to adhere to the pallet. The incline 2 permits the pallet to travel downwardly a short distance so as to gain some momentum, this pallet then contacting the preceding pallet so as to loosen the sinter, this sinter being then discharged from the pallet. This machine forms the subject matter of my copending application for sintering machine, Serial No. 312,061, filed October 12, 1928, and need not be illustrated nor described here in detail. I find that retarding means such as that illustrated and above described, when applied to this machine, are of particular value as assuring smooth and even travel of the pallets and proper delivery thereof to the elevating and feed or propelling sprocket wheels at the feed end of the machine.

In both types of machines illustrated, the

retarding means may be considered as regulating means interposed between the pallets -at the return bend at the delivery end of the machine and the pallets between such return bend and the elevating and propelling sprocket wheels, this regulating means assuring smooth and uniform travel of the pallets on the lower or return run of the track while preventing pounding or hammering between the pallets.

While I have illustrated weight means for increasing or diminishing the effective force of the brake operating levers 37 I do not limit myself to this particular means as various other means for accomplishing this result may be resorted to. Under ordinary conditions, however, I prefer-to employ the weight means illustrated since this means provides an automatic take-up for wear of the friction blocks 29 and maintains the braking effect substantially constant. If a spring device were used, however, m place of the weights 43, the tension of tlns spring would decrease with wear of the blocks 29 so that the brakin effect would also decrease. This would be objectionable. In my construction in which the weight members 43 are employed, as illustrated in Figure 3, as the blocks 29 wear this wear is automatically taken up and the braking effect is maintained substantially constant or, in fact, this effect may be slightly increase due to increase in the effective length of the lever. This slight increase in the braking effect is not objectionable and, in fact, may

be advantageous under certain conditions whereas any decrease in the braking effect may be objectionable as permitting too rapid travel of the pallets about the return bend onto the lower run of the track and without proper retardation thereof.

Also, it is not essential that the sprocket Wheels 23 and drums 27 be mounted on a common shaft 15, though I prefer to mount these members in this manner since any difference in the braking effect exerted on the drums will be compensated for. In its broader aspects my invention comprehends the provision of retarding members having elements projecting into the path of travel of the pallets on the lower run of the track, such members having associated therewith yielding means for normally holding them in position for positive engagement with the pallets so as to retard travel thereof. More specifically, my invention comprehends the use of sprocket wheels or equivalent members having teeth disposed to contact the pallets for retarding travel thereof on the lower run of the track, means being provided for braking the sprocket wheels.

While I have illustrated and described my invention as applied to two types of machines, I do not limit it to such machines since it may be used with machines of various other types. As above indicated, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, changes in construction and arrangement of parts of my invention may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of the same, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention is disclosed. I

What I claim is:

1. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than the track and traveling thereon, means for propelling the pallets along the track, and mechanical retarding means on the lower run of the track and having positive engagement with the pallets for retarding the travel thereof, said retarding means -being adjustable to vary the retarding effect track, a train of separate pallets of less length than the track and traveling thereon,

means for propelling the pallets along the travel of the pallets, said braking means being adjustable to vary the retarding effect of the wheels. v

4. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track,

means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, and adjustable means for braking saidwheels for retarding travel of thepallets.

5. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, sprocket wheels mounted-to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, brake drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake members cooperating with the drums for retarding rotation of the sprocket wheels, and means for propelling the pallets along the track. f

6. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, brake drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake bands cooperating with the drums, means for operating the brake bands, and meansfor propelling thepallets along the track.

7 In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train ,of separate pallets-ofless length thanand traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, brake drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake bands cooperating with the drums, and means for applying the brake bands to the drums under constant pressure. 8. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of'separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, means for propelling thepallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, brake drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake bands cooperating with the drums, and means for applying the brake bands to the drums under constant pressure, said brake band applying means being adjustable to vary the pressure of application of the brake bands.

9. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, brake drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake bands cooperating with the drums, operating levers connected -to the brake bands, and means urging the levers in brake applying direction.

10. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, brake drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake bands cooperating with the drums, operating levers connected at one end to the respective brake bands, and means connected to the other end of the respective levers and urging the same in brake applying direction, the means urging the levers in such direction being adjustable to vary the effective force applied by said levers to the brake bands.

11. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less in brake applying direction;

12. In a sintering machine, 'an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length't-han and traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on thelower run of the track, brake. drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake bands cooperating with the drums and anchored at one end, brake levers fulcrumed intermediate their ends and each having one end secured to the other end of the respective brake bands, and yielding means attached tothe'other end of the levers and urging them in brake a plying direction.

13. In a sintering maclilne, an endless track, a train of separate palleis of less length than and traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, brake drums operatively associated with the wheels, brake bands cooperating with said drums, operating levers connected to the brake bands, means urging the levers in brake applying direction, and means for adjusting the wheels lengthwise of the track.

. 14. In a sintering machine, a main supporting frame, an endless track mounted thereon, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, a shaft rotatably mounted on'the' main frame between the runs of the track and transversely thereof, sprocket Wheels secured on said shaft and disposed to engage pallets on the lower run of the track, drums secured on the shaft adjacent the sprocket wheels, brake bands cooperating with the drums, and brake levers connected to the brake bands and acting to normally hold them in operative contact with said drums.

15. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket wheels mounted to engage pallets on the lower run of the track adjacent the return bend at the delivery end of the track, and means for braking said wheels to retard travel of the pallets.

16. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon said track, the track having a straight portion inclined downwardly from the upper run of the track to the return bend at the delivery end thereof, the spacebetween the end pallets of the train being substantially coincident with said inclinedportion of the track, and retarding means disposed tocontact pallets on the lower run of the track adjacent said return bend and acting to hold the pallets in contact about such bend.

17. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon said track, the track having a straight portion inclined downwardly from the upper run of the track to the return bend at the delivery end thereof, the space. between the end pallets of the train being substantially coincident with said inclined portion ofthe track, the portion of the lower run of the track extending from the return bend at the delivery end of the machine being substantially horizontal, and retarding means disposed to contact pallets on the lower run of the track and adjacent said return bend and acting to hold the pallets in contact about said bend.

18. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon saidtrack, the'track having a straight portion inclined downwardly from the upper'run of the track to the return bend at the delivery end thereof, the space between the end allets of the train being substantially coinci cut with said inclined portion of the track, the portion of: the lowcrrun of the track extending from the return bend at the delivery end of the machine being substantially horizontal, sprocket wheels disposed to engage pallets on the lower run of the track and adjacent said return bend, and means for braking said wheels to retard travel of the pallets and hold them in contacting relation about such bend.

19. In a sintering machine, an endless track, a train of separate pallets of less length than and traveling upon the track, means for propelling the pallets along the track, sprocket 'wheels mounted to engage the pallets on the lower run of the track and means for braking said wheels for retarding v travel of the pallets, said braking means being adjustable to vary the retarding efiect of the wheels.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 19 day of March 1929. EDWARD W. SHALLOCK. 

